Alliance Leisure has been given the go-ahead by West Berkshire Council to start work on the redevelopment of the Lido at Northcroft Leisure Centre in Newbury.  The £5 million proposal was given the thumbs up following extensive consultation with local people on how they would like to see their Lido developed and updated. The investment is projected to increase usage from the current levels of 15-20,000 visits per annum to over 50,000 across the six-month opening period. An outdoor pool has existed on the site since 1870. In 1914, it was extended and then in 1937 it was completely rebuilt, at which point, the 72-metre pool was thought to be the largest pool in the south of England. In addition to structural improvements and the redesigned 50 metre pool, there will be a number of new facilities including a splash pad and toddler pool, beach hut style changing rooms, lockers, a sun terrace and a relaxation area with excellent accessibility throughout. Works began in May 2022 and are due to complete in the summer of 2023.

And in other development news, plans have been submitted to Derby City Council for the development of the Football Hub at Derby Racecourse.  The football development will see 3 new full-sized floodlit 3G pitches created alongside the existing 3G which will enhance the home of the Derby Junior Football League and the Derbyshire Girls and Ladies League hosting over 250 matches each weekend.  The project is part of a national Hubs programme led by the Premier League, The FA and the Government’s Football Foundation with the aim to offer an alternative and sustainable solution to the long-term future for grassroots football. It is anticipated that the new development of the Football Hub will support the increased demand in football in Derby as identified in the Playing Pitch Strategy.  Subject to planning consent being granted, work on the Football Hub is set to commence in early 2023.